The Paikin Podcast

Candice Malcolm, founder of True North and Juno News, offers a conservative media perspective. Justin Ling, investigative journalist with the Toronto Star, brings accountability reporting. They debate what the 2022 Freedom Convoy represented. They clash over protest motives, political outreach, media coverage accuracy, public opinion, the Emergencies Act ruling, and how the event should be remembered.

Linda McQuaig, journalist and author advocating a wealth tax; Martha Hall Findlay, former Liberal MP turned public-policy academic; Tony Clement, former Conservative cabinet minister offering conservative policy views. They debate whether billionaires should exist, a proposed wealth tax and its political risks, philanthropy and private foundations, flight risk for the wealthy, and alternatives like universal basic income.

Chrystia Freeland, former Canadian deputy prime minister and Ukraine reconstruction envoy, reflects on visits, European support, sanctions, and rebuilding. Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel, discusses designing affordable armored vehicles used in Ukraine. Yevhen Tryshyn, logistics lead at Nova Poshta, describes wartime delivery adaptations. Lesya Granger, CEO of Mirya, outlines demining training and protecting civilians.

Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School and international-relations expert, and Stephen Marche, author and social commentator, discuss why the United States may pose the greatest threat to democracy today. They debate U.S. unpredictability versus China and Russia. They examine Canadian resilience planning, economic and tech decoupling, U.S. interference, and the risks of escalating political chaos.

Rob Ashton, a longshoreman and national leader in Canada's ILWU running for NDP leadership, argues for a return to working-class roots. He discusses housing built as public and co-op stock, stronger unionization and worker seats on corporate boards. He also covers sovereignty and defence, support for Ukraine, and reviving grassroots left populism.

Jesse Brown, founder of Canadaland and investigative podcaster, explores the surge of antisemitism in Canada after October 7. He discusses protests that blur anti‑Israel and anti‑Jewish lines. He details threats, vandalism, reporting pushback, and why safety and who gets blamed matter. He also reflects on personal costs and community responses.

Martha Hall Findlay, former Liberal MP and businesswoman, and Tony Clement, former Conservative cabinet minister, debate Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review and party unity. They probe whether his speech and strategy can broaden appeal, how messaging shifted, the party’s outreach to blue-collar and young voters, and what organizational fixes and riding choices mean for a potential national campaign.

Heather McPherson, MP for Edmonton Strathcona and NDP leadership contender known for progressive foreign policy work, lays out why she thinks the party must rebuild. She discusses reconnecting with voters on housing, healthcare and cost-of-living. She tackles pipelines and a just transition, Canada’s stance on Palestine and foreign policy, and shares personal stories including her cancer journey.

Christian Leuprecht, security policy professor at Queen's and RMC, and Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School and international relations expert, examine Mark Carney’s Davos speech and why nostalgia won’t save the rules-based order. They explore middle power alliances, minilateral responses, Canada’s trade dependence on the U.S., and the pragmatic trade-offs of balancing principles with realpolitik.

Margaret MacMillan, historian and author known for work on 20th-century diplomacy, offers sharp historical parallels to today. She compares present tensions to pre-WWI power rivalry. She discusses Trump's Greenland note, NATO strains, risks to smaller powers, Canada’s defence choices, and how unpredictable leadership reshapes alliances.